Six Nations Police Commission

The Six Nations Police Commission is comprised of Six Nations community members who act as the supervisory body for the Police Service.  This past year, the Commission has dedicated a lot of their time as a collective body to improving working conditions for the employees of the Police Service by implementing and overseeing the construction of the new police building.

The current Commission Members are:

Brenda Johnson, Chairperson

Hubert Skye, Elder/ Advisor

Cynthia Jamieson, Commission Member

Laura Butler, Commission Member

Michael Player, Commission Member

Phil Monture, Commission Member

Bob Johnson, Six Nations Council Rep/ Liaison

Melba Thomas, Six Nations Council Rep/ Liaison

The Six Nations Police Commission has a direct line. If you have questions or concerns please contact Nancee at @ 519-445-4373 or nhenry@snpolice.ca

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SIX NATIONS POLICE COMMISSION

 July 13, 2011

Terms of Reference

1.0     Role

1.1     It shall be the duty of the Six Nations Police Commission to: develop terms of reference for itself, not inconsistent with this Agreement; act as the employer of the Six Nations Police; in consultation with the Chief of Police, to provide planning, direction and policy for the Six Nations Police in connection with the attainment of the objectives and in the performance of the duties set out for them in this agreement; and carry out the duties placed upon itself by this Agreement and the procedures there under.

 2.0     Commission Structure

 2.1     The Six Nations Police Commission shall be comprised of a maximum ofeight (8) members whose appointment will be ratified by the Six Nations Council. Two members shall be Six Nations Elected Council appointees; five (5) members shall be recruited from the Six Nations of the Grand River Community at large; plus an Elder whom will be counted as one.

 2.2     The members of the Six Nations Council who participate on the Six Nations Police Commission will be appointed by the Six Nations Council at the commencement of the term of the new Council elect. The member will act as a liaison between the Six Nations Council and the Six Nations Police Commission.  The same criteria will be required for the Six Nations Council members as community members prior to taking a seat with the Six Nations Police Commission.

2.3     Members of the Six Nations community will be selected through a process established by the Commission. Ratification by the Six Nations Police Commission and affirmation by the Six Nations Council is required for the purpose of appointing members to the Commission.

2.4     Commission members will act as liaison with the Six Nations residents and represent the residents in addressing community policing needs with the Commission.

2.5     Where a vacancy occurs in the Commission, the Six Nations Police Commission will take the necessary steps to fill such vacancy. Another qualified person will be appointed as soon as possible after the vacancy. If the vacancy is created for a community member’s position, the process under section 2.3 will be carried out. If the vacancy is created by a Six Nations Council representative, the Commission will advise the respective party and will request a replacement.

2.6     The Six Nations Police Commission is authorized to suspend or dismiss any member(s) from the Commission if it is proven that a breach of confidentiality has occurred, or that the Six Nations Police Commission member is not functioning in a responsible manner as related to policing activities or engaging in conduct inappropriate to their station. Inappropriate conduct may include but not be limited to: a member being charged or pending charges for criminal activity or has been found to be affiliated with an element that is suspected or known to be involved in criminal activity. This section will apply to individuals of the Commission or the Commission as a whole.

2.7    The Six Nations Police Commission may request, at any time, that the Six Nations Council appoint on a temporary or full term basis, another member to replace their appointed representative when the vacancy occurs should justification be shown under section 2.6.

2.8     Terms of the Commission members will be established based on the date of their appointment.  Appointments will be set up to be staggered terms to maintain continuity on the Commission. Where possible no more than two (2) positions on the Commission will be replaced during the course of one year.   The length of the first term appointments will be determined for individuals as they are selected for community member positions to maintain continuity.  Second terms will be identified as a four year term from the date of appointment.

Six Nations Council Representative appointments will coincide with Council  elections ( maximum of 2 members) with a maximum of two (2) consecutive terms being served.

Community Members: Terms will be determined at the date of appointment for the purpose of continuity withthesecond term consisting of a maximum of four years from the date of appointment.

A Six Nations Community member will not be eligible to re-apply for a position with the Commission following completion of a second term for a period of four years following the expiration date of their second term appointment date.

Re-application by the present member will be made to the Commission should the member wish to continue in the position for a second term.  The second term will not be considered automatic.

Members of the Commission may have their term extended on the Commission should the members be actively participating in a policing negotiations forum or a short-term extension may be necessary to maintain full participation when no interest is shown from the community.  The term extension will not go beyond the maximum of an additional two terms.

A Chairperson will be appointed annually from within at the first regular meeting of the Commission following the expiration of the present Chairperson’s term.  The Chairperson will be a community member.

2.9     Every member of the Commission shall, before entering the duties of office, place his/her signature to a declaration/oath, along with a swearing in ceremony or by local custom such as an affirmation in the presence of the Six Nations Police Commission, or a notary public/commissioner for taking oaths signifying that the member is fully aware of the roles and responsibilities that must be adhered to.

New members will be expected to attend training sessions for the Six Nations Police Commission as established.

3.0       Relationship to Council

3.1       The Six Nations Council may request the Chairperson of the Police Commission to attend a meeting of the Six Nations Council to report to them on any matter, but not breaching confidentiality or jeopardize any case, relating to:

a)    the extent and control of crime, or,

b)    the enforcement of law.

Such requests will be made through the Six Nations Police Commission. If required, the Chairperson may request the Chief of Police to attend as well for resource.  Neither the Chief of Police nor any other officer will take or act upon any order, direction, or instruction solely on the direction of any individual of the Commission or the Six Nations Council.

3.2         Following the acceptance of the annual report as presented to the Police Commission by the Chief of Police, the Six Nations Council will be provided a copy of such report.

3.3         The Six Nations Police Commission will, from time to time, review its established goals and objectives as well as the work plan to achieve these goals to ensure they are consistent with the Six Nations of the Grand River Community Profile and the Six Nations Regional Policing Agreement.

3.4         The Commission will hold the central responsibility for planning and promoting the First Nations Police Services on the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory including: the promotion of law and order, efficiency of police services and healthy police relations and will undertake appropriate activities to attain these purposes.

3.5         The Council liaisons when reporting to their respective Councils can report on matters that involve statistical information, ongoing training or new initiatives, but cannot disclose information that is confidential or could jeopardize any investigations.

3.6         The Police Commission will provide an orientation after each community election.  The Council liaison will establish the process and procedures for carrying out this work.

4.0       Commission Meetings

4.1       The Commission will attempt to make decisions by consensus. When consensus cannot be achieved, a vote may be called by any member with the decision being held by the majority. In the case of an even vote, the vote of the Chairperson will prevail.  The Elder/Advisory is a non-voting member of the Commission.

4.2       The Chairperson will, on behalf of the Six Nations Police Commission, perform such duties as authorized by the Commission. Four members, one of whom will function as the chair, will constitute a quorum.

4.3         Each member will receive an honorarium as determined by the Commission.

4.4         The Commission may within its discretion when it deems appropriate, establish committees and may designate any of its members to serve upon such committees. A specific mandate, authority and timeframe will be provided to such committees as established.

4.5         All orders, certificates and other documents issued or made by the Chairperson or in his/her absence a designate, and signed shall be received by the Commission.

4.6         A secretary, as employed by the Commission will attend all meetings for the purpose of recording discussion and decisions of the Commission.  The Chief of Police, the Deputy Chief of Police and Executive Assistant/Administrator will attend as resource staff to the Commission and will carry out duties of the Commission as directed.

4.7         All meetings of the Commission, unless otherwise stated will be closed to the public.  Guests wishing to be placed on the agenda will require approval of the Chairperson before attending a meeting of the Commission.

4.8         The Commission will hold regular monthly meetings.  The regular monthly meetings will be held on the second Wednesday of every month.  In the event that a quorum has not been recognized after a period of thirty minutes, the meeting will be rescheduled.  Members present will be compensated the same as if the meeting were carried out.

4.9         The Chairperson may summon a special meeting.  In the absence of the Chairperson, a special meeting may be summoned by the Chief of Police or Executive Assistant / Administrator.  If there is an issue of an emergent nature, consensus may be received by the Chairperson, the Chief of Police or the Executive Assistant/Administrator contacting the members individually, and will be recognized as an official meeting.  The resolution or affirmation of the issue shall take place at the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Commission.

4.10      In the absence of the Chairperson at the designated start time of the meeting, the members will appoint a person from within to act as Chair.  If the Chairperson arrives during the meeting, he/she will assume the Chair upon arrival.

4.11      A conflict of interest policy established and, any other policies developed, by the Six Nations Police Commission will be adhered to in dealing with issues for discussion and decision by its members.   

4.12      The Commission, in cooperation with the Six Nations Chief of Police, will be responsible for the following:

a)    ensuring policing service is being provided to theSixNationsTerritoryin a manner responsible to its community needs;

b)    developing policy and conditions of employment for members of the Six Nations Police Service;

c)    reviewing facility requirements for the effective and efficient operation of the Six Nations Police Service and Commission, and

d)    the Chief of Police will establish and when appropriate, review and revise an order of rank in the Six Nations Police Service for the recommendation and approval of the Six Nations Police Commission.

5.0         Staffing

5.1       The Commission will appoint the Chief of Police and Deputy Chief of Police to positions as identified within the Police Service organizational structure. Each position has specific responsibilities that the appointee will be expected to carry out.

5.2       The Chief of Police, will be responsible for employing the police and civilian members of the Six Nations Police Service including the hiring procedures for securing of constables pursuant to the Six Nations Regional Policing Agreement. 

5.3       The Commission may employ, where the operating budget allows, such staff as it considers necessary for the purpose of the Commission’s operations, who will carry out specific duties as determined.

6.0       Reporting

6.1       There will be separate and clear reporting and accountability between the uniform and civilian staff. The Chief of Police will deal with the officers while the Administrator will deal with the civilian staff. The Administrator will report to the Chief of Police. 

6.2         The Six Nations Chief of Police and a Six Nations Deputy Chief of Police will report to the Commission on matters relating to the general policing operation at monthly meetings or meetings called for special purposes as identified in sections 4.8 and 4.9.  Such reporting procedures will be through submission of agenda items, correspondence and verbal updates.

7.0       Code of Conduct

7.1       Commission members as individuals in the public and while in meetings as the Commission will adhere to the policy and procedures as outlined in the Six Nations Police Code of Conduct for dealing with public complaints and internal discipline.

8.0       Financial

8.1       The Commission will be responsible for expenditures of Commission funds and attempting to meet the stated goals and objectives.

8.2       The Commission will conduct its operation through a budget allocated through the Six Nations Regional Policing Agreement and through other funds as secured for special projects.  The Six Nations Police Commission will continually lobby to seek funding for the enhancement of the policing arrangements.

8.3         Any member delegated to travel on business of the Commission shall be reimbursed in accordance with Federal Treasury Board Rates, and an honorarium, if applicable, as determined by the Commission.  Where specific funding allocations do not coincide with the honorarium or per diem policy as determined by the Commission, the agreement as established with the funding sources will be adhered to.

8.4         The salary scale for Constables, Civilian and Commission staff as established in conjunction with the Six Nations Police senior management in accordance with the allocated budget will be reviewed from time to time and revised where appropriate.  Senior management designated financial responsibility will include the Chief of Police and Executive Assistant / Administrator.

8.5         The financial policy established will be utilized for financial limits, monitoring and control.  Consultation with the Police Commission  Chairperson will be undertaken prior to expenditures being made where the item has not already been budgeted for and emergency situations occur.

8.6         The Commission will designate six people to act as signing authorities for disbursements of salary, benefits and general expenditures.

8.7         The Commission will budget and record expenditures of those funds provided for their purpose and provide an accounting of their activities for review and audit purposes.  The Six Nations Council will be provided with the audit for funds expended under the Six Nations Regional Policing Agreement.

9.0       Media Relations

9.1       The Six Nations Police Commission Chairperson will act as spokesperson for the Commission when required.

10.0    Correspondence

10.1    Every letter, report or other communication addressed to the Six Nations Police Commission, shall be received by the administrative staff of the Commission who shall:

a)    Where in the opinion of the administrative staff of the Commission and the Chief of Police, in consultation with the Chairperson, the subject matter of any communication is properly within the jurisdiction of the Commission, such communication shall be placed upon the agenda for the next regular meeting of the Commission and be dealt with during such meeting;

b)    Where in the opinion of the administrative staff and the Chief of Police, in consultation with the Chairperson, the subject matter of any communication is properly within the jurisdiction of the police service, such communication shall be referred to the Chief of Police for the necessary action without prior reference to the Commission.

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